The name of this organization shall be the Society of Metaphysical Advancement (SOMA) of Eastern Illinois University.

Section I The purpose of SOMA is to establish an ecumenical society of metaphysical and occult tradition. SOMA is a religious group that accepts all religions utilizing metaphysics, mysticism and/or magick to better understand ourselves and the universe we live in.

Section II SOMA is an ecumenical society of metaphysical tradition which embraces all traditions of religious and occult practice, as we believe all religion leads ultimately to divinity.

We believe that, for the most part, the laws of this land were chosen with wisdom in mind. Therefore, we will not tolerate illegal activity at SOMA meetings or events.

We choose to exert no control over the personal lives of our members and therefore cannot regulate their activities outside of SOMA-sponsored activites.

Section I Membership is open to any EIU student or employee interested in any form of metaphysical, mystical, or occult tradition. Discrimination on any basis will not be tolerated.

Section II All members have voting rights.

Section III Prospective members must attend at least one meeting and participate in one project. Also, prospective members must be nominated by a regular member and have the nomination approved by five other members.

 Section IV Due to the inclusive nature of our organization, we would like to reach out to the community and invite them to join SOMA. Therefore, any non-EIU person (as per section I), who is interested may obtain an honorary membership in the same way regular members gain theirs. Honorary members have voting privileges. Non-EIU persons seeking honorary membership must be 18 years of age or have the consent of their legal guardian, since until the age of 18, religious instruction is the responsibility of the family.

Section I Dues and collection dates for dues are decided as per the guidelines for establishing by-laws.

Section II Any member who fails to pay dues by the appointed date may be dismissed from SOMA.

The executives of SOMA should be as follows: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The aforementioned officers shall constitute the Executive Committee.

President - To preside at Executive Committee and at regular meetings; appoint special committees with the approval of the general membership; present an annual report; perform other such duties as may be required by the by-laws or resolutions of the Executive Committee.

Vice President - To preside in the President's absence and perform other such duties as may be reqired by the by-laws or resolutions of the Executive Committee; plan and organize publicity for activites and special events.

Secretary - Attend to all general correspondence of the organization and keep minutes of all Executive Committee and membership meetings and preserve the records of the organization. Also perform other such duties as may be required by the by-laws or resolution of the Executive Committee.

Treasurer - Supervise the financial administration of all revenue periodically and rport to membership on the financial condition of the organization, and perform other such duties as may be required by the by-laws or resolution of the Executive Committee.

Section I Election of officers shall take place yearly during the first week of September or any time an officer is removed or steps down.

Section II The Executive Committe shall take nominations from the membership for new officers; the outgoing president shall serve as the presiding officer of the election, who may also serve again if elected.

Section III Any student member is eligible for nominationas an officer who meets the University eligibility for students officers, a 2.0 GPA, and who fulfills the qualifications as established by the Executive Committee.
 
 

Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed to the voting membership by a majority vote of the Executive Committee or by a petition signed by 1/10 of the voting membership. Amendments shall be declared adopted which are presented at two general meeting and receive a majority vote at both meetings by the voting members present.

By-laws not inconsistent with this constitution may be adopted or amended by a 2/3 vote of the regular members present at any regular or special meetings, providing the by-laws are submitted in writing at least one week previous at either a regular or special meeting of the general membership.

Section I - Any member found in violation of the word or spirit of this charter may be dismissed from SOMA by a majority vote of a quorum of the general members present at an official meeting.

Section II - Should a member of the Executive Committee be found in violation of the charter, another SOMA member shall be elected by a simple majority vote to sit temporarily in the accused officer's place for the purpose of the vote for dismissal.

Section I - Meetings are open to both members and non-members

Section II - For official business to be conducted at a regular meeting, a quorum of members is needed.

Section III - Dates and times for meetings shall be decided by a majority vote of the membership. Topics or special events will be decided by the Executive Committee.

Section IV - The order of business at regular meetings shall be as follows:

 1) President calls the meeting to order.
 2) Secretary reads the minutes of last meeting
 3) Special anouncements
 4) Old business
 5) New business
 6) Topic of discussion, guest speaker, video or other activity
 7) Adjournment

Section I - Projects are open to members and prospective members only. Exceptions will be decided by majority vote of the regular membership.

Section II - A project is defined as any religious or occult research, function, fundraiser, ceremony, workshop or publicity work approved by the membership.

Section III - A project must be approved by a majority of the membership to qualify for the use of SOMA resources, its name and logo.

Written by the Executive Committee, 1995
 
 

Amendment I: To better enable members to elect officers they know and have confidence in, and to allow for a smooth beginning of SOMA meetings upon the return of members from summer break, elections of SOMA officers will now take place in April. Officers appointed in these elections will take office in the
following fall (the beginning of the following fall semester).

Adopted March of 1997

Amendment II: The voting membership of SOMA hereby moves to become a member organization of the College Pagan Network. We think that this organization has the potential to unify student pagan and occult groups across the nation. We proudly declare ourselves to be members of this group.

adopted October of 1998
written by the SOMA President